5 reasons atheism is irrational

[Rum]

I think that the next time distillers tries to enlighten us, everyone should just fill the thread with huge boobs! No comments. No arguments. No debunking. Just bloody enormous boobs.

What a great display of rational thought that would be. I think it would confirm my view that there are essentially two types of atheist: one type that is primarily motivated by seeing how far rational and scientific thought can go by itself, and another that simply wish to reject the moral framework found in religion because they don't like it. That, I think was what Dawkins didn't understand about his following - he thought it was primarily the former when actually it contained many people in the latter group who were primarily motivated by kicking against religion. The irony is that in many ways I, as a theist (and as a scientist), am probably closer to the way Dawkins thinks than some, or possibly many, of his own followers.

How nice for you to feel so morally superior. Morality and religion are not remotely connected. Morality has been hijacked by religion over the millennia and used to judge and control people. Morality from an atheistic point of view - mine at least - is a social mechanism. It almost certainly evolved so that we could work collectively in social groups and develop 'rules' which make that easier to do.

[Feck]

I think that the next time distillers tries to enlighten us, everyone should just fill the thread with huge boobs! No comments. No arguments. No debunking. Just bloody enormous boobs.

What a great display of rational thought that would be. I think it would confirm my view that there are essentially two types of atheist: one type that is primarily motivated by seeing how far rational and scientific thought can go by itself, and another that simply wish to reject the moral framework found in religion because they don't like it. That, I think was what Dawkins didn't understand about his following - he thought it was primarily the former when actually it contained many people in the latter group who were primarily motivated by kicking against religion. The irony is that in many ways I, as a theist (and as a scientist), am probably closer to the way Dawkins thinks than some, or possibly many, of his own followers.

How nice for you to feel so morally superior. Morality and religion are not remotely connected. Morality has been hijacked by religion over the millennia and used to judge and control people. Morality from an atheistic point of view - mine at least - is a social mechanism. It almost certainly evolved so that we could work collectively in social groups and develop 'rules' which make that easier to do.

Morally and intellectually superior I feel so small now ........ Can I have hug pwease ?

[FBM]

Thanks for the clarification FBM. I think we would both agree that truth is not about what we do or don't like. We can say we don't like something; but that is a very different statement from saying something is not true. In atheism (as with religion) I think that sometimes "I don't like it" and "I don't think it is true" get a little muddled.

I largely agree. Thing is, in my experience, theists tend to believe because it makes them feel good, i.e., they like or prefer it, rather than because there's any evidence for it. People who use reason see belief in something for which there is no evidence as a profound error. If we could just go around saying that whatever we liked was true without providing and supporting evidence for it, there would be no basis for knowledge at all, would there? I mean, look at your avatar. It's full of idealistic, warm-fuzzy, romantic dreams. It reflects what you want to feel, what you want to be true, despite lack of any evidence that it actually is. (I don't mean that to sound harsh or insulting, btw.)

I hasten to add that non-theists also have unfounded beliefs, and some of them cling stubbornly to them. In my case, my fundamental ontology was deeply challenged by the fact that the Saints went to the Superbowl, and completely shattered when they actually won.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

The trolling continues on RatzSkep. Is a secular education a form of child abuse?

[Pappa]

..... The logical consequence of atheism is despair and nihilism. .....

Really?
I'm going the have to contact all my happy and well adjusted atheist friends and tell them they're doing it all wrong.

I always feel it's a shame that the word nihilism has been co-opted to have a definite negative connotation. I don't think nihilism has to be negative at all. I regard myself as a nihilist, yet I don't ever call myself one because of the negative connotation it implies. I'm certainly not an unhappy nihilist, I find it pretty wonderful really.

[mark1961]

Also, you guys can have paarsurrey, he is everybody's friend

And he says his computer is sans-sound when you link him to YouTube sites....hmm

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Also, you guys can have paarsurrey, he is everybody's friend

And he says his computer is sans-sound when you link him to YouTube sites....hmm

Probably using a computer where other people can hear what he's listening to and doesn't want to be stoned to death.

[FBM]

..... The logical consequence of atheism is despair and nihilism. .....

Really?
I'm going the have to contact all my happy and well adjusted atheist friends and tell them they're doing it all wrong.

I always feel it's a shame that the word nihilism has been co-opted to have a definite negative connotation. I don't think nihilism has to be negative at all. I regard myself as a nihilist, yet I don't ever call myself one because of the negative connotation it implies. I'm certainly not an unhappy nihilist, I find it pretty wonderful really.

I see nothing inherently negative in nihilism.

[macdoc]

thedistillers wrote:
..... The logical consequence of atheism is despair and nihilism. .....

afraid of reality??....need a sky daddy crutch...??

Life as vibrant and constructive as YOU are willing to make it....and doesn't need a fucking hodge podge handbook which has led to more abuse than perhaps any other meme....

Read The Outsider yet???

Once around....better make it good eh....

I have...

two great successful kids, happy successful dad, well travelled, well loved and well respected by clients and not speck of religion....

now please

[Pappa]

..... The logical consequence of atheism is despair and nihilism. .....

Really?
I'm going the have to contact all my happy and well adjusted atheist friends and tell them they're doing it all wrong.

I always feel it's a shame that the word nihilism has been co-opted to have a definite negative connotation. I don't think nihilism has to be negative at all. I regard myself as a nihilist, yet I don't ever call myself one because of the negative connotation it implies. I'm certainly not an unhappy nihilist, I find it pretty wonderful really.

I see nothing inherently negative in nihilism.

Nor do I... but in general usage it has definite negative overtones... and is usually used with a negative meaning intended.

[Clinton Huxley]

From The Big Lebowski:-

"Nihilists? Fuck me!"

[Rum]

..... The logical consequence of atheism is despair and nihilism. .....

Really?
I'm going the have to contact all my happy and well adjusted atheist friends and tell them they're doing it all wrong.

I always feel it's a shame that the word nihilism has been co-opted to have a definite negative connotation. I don't think nihilism has to be negative at all. I regard myself as a nihilist, yet I don't ever call myself one because of the negative connotation it implies. I'm certainly not an unhappy nihilist, I find it pretty wonderful really.

I see nothing inherently negative in nihilism.

Nor do I... but in general usage it has definite negative overtones... and is usually used with a negative meaning intended.

I do as it happens. I think the consequences of atheism at least intellectually are nihilistic. That does not dismiss humanism, morals or finding a reason to be happy as one goes about one's business.

But so what? The consequences of the truth? Who said they had to be nice!

[PairOfFeet]

Anyway here's a picture of a nice pair of boobies just for you:

Trigger Warning!!!1! :

It must be real cold there, some of their extremities are turning blue.

[FBM]

I do as it happens. I think the consequences of atheism at least intellectually are nihilistic. That does not dismiss humanism, morals or finding a reason to be happy as one goes about one's business.

But so what? The consequences of the truth? Who said they had to be nice!

I know this is getting a bit philosophical *cringe*, but nihilism is the position that there's no inherent meaning, purpose or value to existence. 'None' means 'none', not postive not negative. I'm not a nihilist, but only because it's a dogma that is drawn from inference and thus, hasn't been proven as a known, but I don't see any inherent meaning, purpose or value yet. It hasn't had any negative effect on my thoughts or behavior, as far as I can tell. What's un-nice about it? If it's closer to understanding the way things really are, how can that be negative?

Maybe we should split this one, or make another thread on nihilism? Or is this close enough to the OP?

[Ayaan]

I think that the next time distillers tries to enlighten us, everyone should just fill the thread with huge boobs! No comments. No arguments. No debunking. Just bloody enormous boobs.

What a great display of rational thought that would be. I think it would confirm my view that there are essentially two types of atheist: one type that is primarily motivated by seeing how far rational and scientific thought can go by itself, and another that simply wish to reject the moral framework found in religion because they don't like it. That, I think was what Dawkins didn't understand about his following - he thought it was primarily the former when actually it contained many people in the latter group who were primarily motivated by kicking against religion. The irony is that in many ways I, as a theist (and as a scientist), am probably closer to the way Dawkins thinks than some, or possibly many, of his own followers.

How nice for you to feel so morally superior. Morality and religion are not remotely connected. Morality has been hijacked by religion over the millennia and used to judge and control people. Morality from an atheistic point of view - mine at least - is a social mechanism. It almost certainly evolved so that we could work collectively in social groups and develop 'rules' which make that easier to do.

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